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How Zelensky’s Oval Office Meeting Turned into a Showdown With Trump
The New York Times ^ | March 1, 2025, 11:54 a.m. ET | Tyler Pager and Maggie Haberman

Posted on 03/01/2025 10:56:54 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum

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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Mr. Trump, who has come to expect a level of capitulation from almost everyone who has met with him since Election Day

He expected, at the very least, that Zelensky would show up looking like he didn't just come from the gym.

Zelensky's show of disrespect began when he chose not to wear acceptable diplomatic attire for a meeting in the Oval Office between two heads of state.

Mr. Zelensky seemingly triggered the two American leaders by... pressing for commitments to protect Ukraine from Russian aggression going forward...

Zelensky apparently got used to walking into a signing ceremony after advanced teams agreed on the terms and then dropping one final demand out of the blue. President Trump was having none of it this time.

I know from my own experience as a facilitator of groups of people that I have a plan for managing the flow of the conversation so that the group can achieve their goals. When one participant wants to upend that plan for their own ends, it throws the whole experience off for the other participants. Trump had a three-step plan for ending the war in Ukraine:

  1. Sign an economic agreement between the United States and Ukraine. This ties the United States to Ukraine's existence and put American non-military resources on the ground as a deterrence against attack.

  2. Negotiate a cease-fire to stop the killing and destruction so the two sides can move to ending the war.

  3. Negotiate a compromise agreement where each side agrees on borders going forward. Ukraine would have to accept some losses and Russia will have to cede back some land that was taken. They can take time in this step because the killing stopped in step 2.

Zelensky blew up this plan by making a new demand in step one for "security assurances" that nobody pre-arranged and signed off on. Trump walked away like President Reagan at Reykjavík.

-PJ

21 posted on 03/01/2025 11:35:42 AM PST by Political Junkie Too ( * LAAP = Left-wing Activist Agitprop Press (formerly known as the MSM))
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Why the HE** is Lindsey Graham talking to the New York Times from AF1?


22 posted on 03/01/2025 11:36:14 AM PST by nwrep
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Zelenskyy is clearly not very smart at all. They gave him several chances to back off on his dissing the USA and Trump administration. All he had to do was apologize, when JD said he wouldn’t allow litigation of the war in that meeting with the media. He could have said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound like that was my goal; we are so grateful for everything you have done for us and have nothing but respect for this administration and the American taxpayers.” It would have ended much more in his favor. But he had to be some stupid badass, and didn’t understand he had no cards. JMHO


23 posted on 03/01/2025 11:43:54 AM PST by NEMDF
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Meanwhile, get a load of our...erm, ally...

ROYAL WELCOME King Charles to welcome Zelensky just days after Ukrainian hero’s White House bust up with Donald Trump

With KCIII at the hflm, who needs the Harkles, eh...

24 posted on 03/01/2025 11:46:07 AM PST by mewzilla (Swing away, Mr. President, swing away!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

what show down NYT idiots, if anything it was a tag team slap down of the little arrogant grifter idiot


25 posted on 03/01/2025 11:49:37 AM PST by ronnie raygun
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Showdown of Zelensky’s own making that he lost.


26 posted on 03/01/2025 11:52:28 AM PST by mass55th (“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ― John Wayne)
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To: ComputerGuy

“It’s always good to get Maggie’s take on things.”

Isn’t she the one who got a Pulitzer for her coverage of the Russia Hoax? B*tch never gave back the award either after it came out that it was a hoax.


27 posted on 03/01/2025 12:13:41 PM PST by willk (Local news media. Just as big an enemy to this country as national media)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Zelensky has close relationships with several democratic Congressional critters. They visit often and probably are in constant communication. (maybe involved in missing millions of US funds) I can’t help but believe one or more of them conspired with Zelensky to cause this scene which was designed to embarrass Trump and his peace seeking mission. It backfired on them.


28 posted on 03/01/2025 12:27:05 PM PST by elpadre
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To: Bruce Campbells Chin

“...with our clear tilt in favor of Russia ...”

tilt???? -

talk, - yes

action - renewed sanctions against Russia this week.


29 posted on 03/01/2025 12:33:25 PM PST by elpadre
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To: willk

She is not to be taken seriously.
Unless you’re serious about your comedy.


30 posted on 03/01/2025 12:40:36 PM PST by ComputerGuy ( )
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Shameless lying by The Slimes again.

Little Z boy was told to play the fool by Susan Rica, Vindiman and the 0bama machine. They could care less what happens to Ukraine. They think this is “an embarrassment for Trump” and will help Democrats politically


31 posted on 03/01/2025 1:44:01 PM PST by MNJohnnie (Don't blame me, my congressman is MTG!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Shameless lying by The Slimes again.

Little Z boy was told to play the fool by Susan Rica, Vindiman and the 0bama machine. They could care less what happens to Ukraine. They think this is “an embarrassment for Trump” and will help Democrats politically


32 posted on 03/01/2025 1:46:28 PM PST by MNJohnnie (Don't blame me, my congressman is MTG!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Goober is the only guy in America on speed dial to both Maggie Haberman and his rich uncle, Rupert Murdoch.


33 posted on 03/01/2025 1:46:50 PM PST by Biblebelter
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